Kalami

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A language of Pakistan

ISO 639-3
gwc
Alternate Names
Bashgharik, Bashkarik, Baskarik, Dir Kohistani, Diri, Dirwali, Gaawro, Garwa, Garwi, Gawri, Gowri, Kalami Kohistani, Kohistana, Kohistani
Population

100,000 (Baart and Sagar 2004), increasing.

Location

Upper Swat Kohistan, between Peshmal and Kalam north to Kalam area upper valleys; Dir Kohistan in Thal, Lamuti, Biar, and Rajkot villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northwestern zone, Dardic, Kohistani
Dialects

Dashwa, Kalam, Lamuti (Lamti), Rajkoti (Patrak), Thal, Ushu. Dialect differences do not hinder communication, except speakers of other dialects have difficulty with Rajkot. Lexical similarity: 90%–93% among main dialects; Rajkoti has 75% with Kalami; Dashwa has 77% with Kalami [gwc], and 74% with Rajkoti.

Language Use

Apparently few remaining speakers of Dashwa dialect. Men have routine proficiency in Pashto, women more limited; Rajkoti men are highly proficient in Pashto. Uneducated have low proficiency in Urdu [urd].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kalami
Writing
Arabic script, Nastaliq style.
Other Comments

Most widely understood indigenous language in north Swat and Dir Kohistan. Muslim.